Fla. woman apologizes for flipping off judge

MIAMI (AP) — A Miami woman has apologized for flipping off a judge, who then dropped contempt charges and vacated her 30-day jail term.

Eighteen-year-old Penelope Soto admitted today she was under the influence of Xanax and alcohol when she made the obscene middle-finger gesture and rude comments earlier this week directed at Circuit Judge Jorge Rodriguez-Chomat. Video of the confrontation quickly went viral.

Soto tearfully apologized to the judge, who said the episode should be a lesson in how to properly treat people. Rodriguez-Chomat said Soto would have been a convicted felon if he allowed the contempt charge to stand.

Her lawyer said Soto will complete a drug court program. That includes treatment for drug addiction and usually results in charges eventually being dropped for first-time offenders.